Nowadays, apple rootstocks must have good performances in vigour, precocity, yields, fruit quality and resistance to diseases. These parameters have all been considered for the improvement of apples at a global level. The balance between plant efficiency and fruit quality combined with a simpler orchard management and lower production costs can be obtained by choosing the right rootstock.
Epagri researchers (Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural) assessed the performance of Geneva® rootstocks for the Gala variety. Ten Geneva® rootstocks were analysed (G.10, CG.2022, G.24, G.30, CG.58, G.210, G.213, G.757, G.896, G.969, all selected for their resistance to root rot and woolly apple aphid), as well as M.9 EMLA (dwarfing) and M.7EMLA (semi-dwarfing ). The latter two were reference rootstocks.
Frederico Denardi from Epagri explained that the rootstocks of the American series Geneva® seem to better combine with the agronomic characteristics of the apple trees cultivated in the southern regions of Brazil.
Researchers analysed vigour, annual yields, cumulative yield, cumulative yield efficiency, fruit weight and grades.
The results were that G.10 and G.757 are much more efficient than M.9EMLA in controlling Gala vigour, while CG.2022 is equivalent to M.9EMLA. All the other rootstocks are not as efficient. Rootstocks G.24, G.969, G.30 and G.210 conferred the same vigour as M.7EMLA, while G.896 was more vigorous.
As regards dwarfing rootstocks, G.213 and G.757 were more efficient as regards to cumulative yields. For what concerns the semi-dwarfing, F.210 showed the highest cumulative yield and the highest efficiency, while G.896 favoured a better cumulative yield than M.7EMLA. The biggest fruits were produced by G.213 and CG.2022.
Researchers concluded that, "based on the average annual production in the various seasons, cumulative yield efficiency and fruit grades, the most promising rootstocks were dwarfing G.213 and G.757 and semi-dwarfing G.210."
Source: DENARDI Frederico et al., 'Performance of new apple rootstocks for Gala variety in Southern Brazil', June 2016, Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology, Vol.16 (2), pp.147-152.
Contacts:
Denardi Frederico
EPAGRI
Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Email: denardi.frederico@gmail.com
The results were that G.10 and G.757 are much more efficient than M.9EMLA in controlling Gala vigour, while CG.2022 is equivalent to M.9EMLA. All the other rootstocks are not as efficient. Rootstocks G.24, G.969, G.30 and G.210 conferred the same vigour as M.7EMLA, while G.896 was more vigorous.
As regards dwarfing rootstocks, G.213 and G.757 were more efficient as regards to cumulative yields. For what concerns the semi-dwarfing, F.210 showed the highest cumulative yield and the highest efficiency, while G.896 favoured a better cumulative yield than M.7EMLA. The biggest fruits were produced by G.213 and CG.2022.
Researchers concluded that, "based on the average annual production in the various seasons, cumulative yield efficiency and fruit grades, the most promising rootstocks were dwarfing G.213 and G.757 and semi-dwarfing G.210."
Source: DENARDI Frederico et al., 'Performance of new apple rootstocks for Gala variety in Southern Brazil', June 2016, Crop Breeding and Applied Biotechnology, Vol.16 (2), pp.147-152.
Contacts:
Denardi Frederico
EPAGRI
Caçador, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Email: denardi.frederico@gmail.com